Angry Musina hospital staff chase out clinical manager

Angry staff members from the Musina hospital chased out the hospital's clinical manager, Dr Alec Dube, last Thursday, alleging that he refused to provide anti-retrovirals (ARVs) to rape victims.

The staff members alleged that Dr Dube refused to attend to sick young women who wanted to undergo womb cleansing after undergoing illegal abortions. It is alleged that he refused to treat foreign nationals, saying that the budget did not allow for foreigners to be treated here in South Africa. "He chased away three doctors from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying they were incompetent," said a staff member.

The hospital is apparently facing a R15 million lawsuit after he had allegedly assaulted another doctor. The doctor who was allegedly assaulted is currently working at Tshikondeni Coal Mine. "There are at least 64 complaints from community members and this is compromising the quality of service at the hospital," they said. Nurses at the hospital also threw out their chief executive officer, Simon Netshivhambe, alleging that he had appointed two managers for a year in acting positions that didn't exist.

"The two managers got close to R200 000 per year. Netshivhambe was always defending Dr Dube. The CEO also doesn't want doctors from the Congo and that is why he deliberately didn't renew the contracts of the three Congolese doctors. If the Department of Health sends them back, we will intensify the protest," they said.

Limpopo MEC for Health and Social Development Dr Norman Mabasa said he could only deal with the matter if given a directive from Minister Aaron Motsoaledi's office. "Now I don't have powers. Ask the minister's office, to avoid two parallel statements," said Dr Mabasa.

The spokesperson for the National Department of Health, Joe Maila, said they had appointed two officials from the district office to act as chief executive officer and clinical manager to try and ensure the smooth running of the hospital.

"It doesn’t mean the two officials that were chased away are guilty. We have deployed a team of investigators to investigate all the allegations levelled against the chief executive officer and the clinical manager. It is business as usual at Musina Hospital," said Maila.

The chairperson of Nehawu in Musina, Phumudzo Mphaphuli, issued a statement, following a meeting with Vhembe officials from the health department. “All our workers are returning to work and we are happy with the agreement,” he said. According to Mphaphuli, it was agreed that the two officials be removed from the hospital.

Also read:

3 June 2013 - Manager of Messina Hospital put on leave

News - Date: 17 May 2013

Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

Email: [email protected]